Signal-device-operating mechanism



H. 8. SMITH A SIGNAL bEVICE OPERATING MECHANISM May 19, 1925. 1,538,010

Filed Dec. 19, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,Trwen't'ar. M1 3. I

May 19, 1925. 1,538,010

H. s. SMITH SIGNAL DEVICE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Dec: 19, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'EEW'LLAHM Patented May 19, 1925.

UNITED STATES I 1,538,010 PATENT OFFICE.)

HARRY S. SMITH, OF NEEDHALI HEIGHTS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE GAMEWELL COMPANY, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGNAL-DEVICE-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application. filed December 19, 1919., Serial No. 346,023.

To all whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY S. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,.residing at Needham Heights, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Signal-Device-Opcrating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to a signal device adapted to sound code signals, as for tire alarms, and has more specific reference to a whistle and its controlling means employed for this purpose.

It is highly desirable that a whistle employed for the purpose above set forth should sound a signal, the individual blasts of which are of a uniform and invariable length .to prevent the misinterpretation of signals. The usual operating means for the signal device has been a Whistle blowing machine which is an electro-mechanically controlled, weight driven device occupying considerable space and necessitating continual attention. This device, as usually installed, is remote from the whistle valve and is connected therewith by a cable passing over pulleys. Control devices have been designed which are closely associated with the whistle valve but these have the fault of being complicated and getting out of adjustment, and failing to sound uniform signal blasts.

An object of my invention is the provision of a signal device operating mechanism arranged to sound uniform signal blasts.

A further object is to assemble the whistle valve and its controlling and operating mechanism as a single unit.

A further object of my invention is o provide means for varying the period ofthe blasts.

I employ an electro-magnetically controlled mechanism for the operating mechanism and a yet further object of my invention is to provide power actuated means for positively resetting the electro-magnetically controlled mechanism. I 1

Another object of my invention is the arrangement of the mechanism by which a non-interference of signals is obtained whereby, after the initial signal impulse to operate the mechanism, further impulses are without effect in mutilating the signal blast.

A further object is to provide my controlling device as an attachment forexisting whistle valves.

Fig. 1 1s a SBGt1OIlEll'V1eW, of signal device operating mechanism embodying my invention. H I

Fig. 2 is a front end viewdetail .of my controlling apparatus removed from the whistle valve. n i

F ig. 3 is a sectional detail along line 33 of F ig. 2 illustrating more particularly the power-actuated resetting means for the controlling mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail along line of Fig. 2 illustrating the positively'operr ated exhaust valve and its mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a rear end view of the controllin mechanism.

is here shown the whistle valve includes I the casing 10 having the outlet passagenl1 into which is connected thepipe 12 extended to the whistle, not shown, and the inlet passage 13into whichis connected the pipell extended-to a pressure source, as a steam boiler, or Q QOIIIPIQSSGd. air reservoir, not shown. fluid through'the casing and has its stem fixed to the piston 16. Said piston is of substantially greater diameter than said valve and operateswithin the cylinder 17.

The end of said cylinder is closed by the cap 18. St'eam'or airis adaptedto be admitted behind said piston to cause it to open said valve to sound the blast and, after the proper length of blast has been sounded, the pressure is reduced and the pressure on said valve causes it to be seated, thereby to com-' plete the blast. v

For the purpose of governing the. opening and closingof the main valve 15, an auxiliary or pilot valve 19is employed whichis. disposed in the pressure passage13 and, by reason of spring 19*, normally maintains closed the port 20'from which extends-the passage21 in communication with the cylinder 17 Theopening of said pilot valve admits high pressure fluid into said cylinder 17 to cause the main valve to open and, upon the closing of said pilot valve, the pressure drops due to the ,escape'of fluid through leak passages, not shown, and the main valve consequently closes.

The pilot valve 19 is controlled by the normally balanced piston 22 secured to the valve stem 19 and operates within a cylinder 23 A valve 15 controls the flow of,

lit

siderable force against the stem of the pop pet valve.

Power actuated means are provided to positively reset the poppet valve control mechanism which is also arranged to hold said mechai'iism in reset condition during the sounding of a signal blast thereby to prevent possible mutilation of signals. Said means include the piston operating in the cylinder 66 formed in said meniber A passage 6'? extends between the 139095936 comprising a component of the timing chamber and said cylinder (56 and admits steam or other fluid pressure therein to act upon said piston. A cap 68 closes the end of the cylinder. Said piston 66 hasa stem 69 extended through said member 25 and the base plate 4:? and is adapted to be engaged by, or be in proximity to the arm 54 of the toggle mechanism in its released or operated position. v

A spring 70 encircling said stem 69 nor mally serves to retract said stem and piston within said cylinder 66. g

Upon the occurrence of a signal impulse and the consequent tripping ot' the poppet valve control mechanism, a pressure is built up within the timing chamber. This pres sure acts upon said piston 65 to :lorce it outward into engagement with said arm 54 to restore the mechanism, and to lock it against further operation for so long as pressure endures in said timing chamber and consequently for the duration of a blast.

A cover '75 is secured to said base plate t? by suitable means and encloses'the entire control mechanism. a

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming the normal condition of the ap paratus to be as in Fig. 1, upon the occurrence of a signal impulse the toggle members are broken and the poppet valve is forcibly opened and the fluid under pres sure in cylinder 23 escapesthrough the ere haust port 32. The piston 22 is consequently unbalanced and the pilot valve 19 is opened causing the main valve 15 to open and the initiation of the blast.

As the pilot valve opens, its stem, or its piston 22, engages the end ot plunger l2 and moves it outwardly thereby causing the sleeve valve 31 to move to cover the exhaust port and take controlot and'hold open the poppet valve during and also after the building up of pressure in the timing chamber. Due to the closing of the exhaust port and the opening of the poppet valve pressure begins to be built up in the timing chamber from the main valve casing because of the designed clearance past the piston At some point in the process of pressure building, the resetting piston 65 is forced outwardly to engage the arm 54. of the poppet valve mechanism and. reset and locl: it in reset position against a subsequent release due to subsequent signal impulses during the continuance of the signal blast.

After a certain interval of time, during which the blast is being sounded, which time is determined by the volume of the timing chamber and the rate of leakage past the piston 22, pressure on both sides of said piston becomes equal and the piston is consequently balanced. Spring 19 now-operates to force the pilot valve closed and the main valve is also closed and the blast is terminated. Plunger 42 is no longer held in its outwardly moved position bythe pilot valve and is forced inwardly against the pressure within said cylinder 23 by its spring l5. The poppet valve and the sleeve valve are now no longerheld in an operated position against the pressure within the timing chamber and the poppet'valve is forced against its seat by said pressure and the sleeve valve is simultaneously moved outward thereby permitting the poppet valve to close and subsequently. opening the port 82 to exhaust the timing chamber.

The device is now in condition to sound anothersignal blast.

The device is adapted as an attachment to existing whistle valves and maybe applied thereto by removing a cap, not shown, secured to the threaded portion of the cylinder 23 of said valve casinglO, andsubsti tuting therefor the member 25 with its associated mechanism. I

It is obvious that many modified forms of the apparatus herein described may be made without departing from the spirit of invention.

I claim 2 1. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber. and means controllable by said piston to govern fluid communication between saidcylincler and timing chamber. a

2. Signal device operating mechanism'ineluding, in combination. with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber, and means controllable by'said piston to govern fluid communication betweensaid cylinder, timing chamber and the .atmosphere. f- 3. Signal device operating mechanism in cluding, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having. provision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing cham; her, and mechanism governing the fluid condition of said cylinder and timing chamber, said mechanism comprising means for governing fluid. communication with the atmos phere and means operable independentlyof said first named means for governing fluid fluidpressure, means to admit fluid into said device, and means operable incident to the opening of said valve to permit closure thereof only after the passage, of a predetermined amount of fluid into said measuring device. 3

6. Signal device operating mechanism including a valve, a fluid measuringdevice adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure, means to admit fluid into sald' device, means to'operate said'valve upon the passage into said device of a pre-.

determined amount of fluid, and fluid operable means governed alternately by the positioning of said valve andby the fluid conditions ofsaid device for controlling the escape of the measured fluid.

7. Signal device. operating mechanism including a valve, a chamber adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure, means operable in response to changes in and for governing the fluid conditions of said chamber, and means governed by fluid conditions within said chamber to operate said valve. 8. Signal device operating mechanism including a valve, a chamber adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure, means responsive to movement of said valve for governing the flow of fluid there1nto,,means governing the flow of fluid therefrom, and means governed by fluid conditions within said chamber to operate-said valve.

9.v Signal device operating mechanism including a valve, a chamber adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure,

' means responsive to movement of said valve for governing the flow of fluid therein, and means governed by fluid condltions within said chamber to operate said valve.

10. Signal device operating mechanism including a valve, a chamber adapted for con;

nection with a source of fluid pressure,

means to restrictthe-flow of fluid therein,

means responsive to movement of said valve providing for escape of fluid therefrom, and means govern-ed by fluid conditions within said chamber to operate said valve.

11. Signal device operating mechanism including a normally balanced piston, a cylinder in which it operates arranged for restricted fluid leakage. between its ends, a timing chamber having communication with said cylinder and with the atmosphere, a valve controlling communication between said chamber and cylinder, electrically controlled operating means therefor, a valve controlling communication between said chamber and the atmosphere, and means governed by said piston for operating it.

12. Signal device operating mechanism in- J cludinga normally balanced piston, a'cylinder in which it operates arranged for restricted fluid leakagefbetweenits ends, a timing chamber arranged for fluid communication with said, cylinder, a valve govern-t ing said fluid communication, said timing chamber also arranged for atmospheric com-,

munication, a second valve operable inde pendently of said first valve and govern ing such communication, and operating .mechanism arranged to permit flow of fluid from said cylinder to said chamberand to the atmosphere thereby to unbalance the piston for its operation, said. second valve thereupon adapted to close to cause a pressure to be built up within said chamberand cylinder thereby to restore the balance on said piston, and said first valve adapted to thereafter close to isolate said chamber and cylinder, and said second valve adapted to thereupon open to from said chamber,

13'. The method of operating a signal device operating mechanism having a normally balanced piston which consists in initially unbalancing the piston to cause its opera tion,.connecting the cylinder of the device to a closed chamber to cause pressure to be built up in saidchamber and cylinder,"

nvhereby balance is restored and said piston operated, isolating said chamber and cylinder upon attainment of predetermined pressure in said chamber and causing the discharge of fluid from said chamber only after attainment of such chamber pressure.

14:. The method of operating a signal de vice operating mechanism having fluid pressure actuated component, which consists in' causing a restricted flow of fluid from the mechanism, measuring said fluid and causing the actuation of'said. component to permit escape of measured fluid when apredetermined measured quantity has passed.

15. Signal deviceoperating mechanism including a normally balanced piston, a cylinder in whichit operates adapted for con' nection with a source of fluid pressure, means to unbalance 1t ncludmg a valve, means to restore its balanceincluding a timing' chamber into which said cylinder is adapted to discharge and 'an escape valve controlled by said piston.

16. Signal device operating mechanism inpermit escape of fluid 17. Signal device operating mechanism including a normally balanced piston, a cylinder in which it operates adaptedfor connection with a source of fluid pressure, means in cluding a valve for causing the unbalancing and subsequent rebalancing of the piston, normally locked valve operating mechanism, means to release it to operate the valve and fluid actuated restoring means for said operating mechanism operating to hold said mechanism in restored position during the rebalancing of said piston.

1S. Signal device operating mechanism including a normally balanced piston, a cylinder in which it operates adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure, a timing chamber arranged for fluid communi- Ct tion with said cylinder, a valve to govern the flow of fluid therebetween, normally locked valve operating mechanism, means to release it to operate the valve, and mechanism restoring means including a piston associated with said timing chamber actuated by pressure conditions therein.

19. Signal, device operating mechanism including a valve, adapted to be opened to sound a signal, operating means therefor including normally locked mechanism releasable to cause the opening of the valve, and restoring means for said ,mechanisin arranged to hold said mechanism in restored position during the period of opening of the valve.

20. Signal device operating mechanism in cluding, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow or" fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber arranged for fluid communcation with said cylinder and with the atmosphere, independently operable valves, and means to operate them successively to govern communica tion with said cylinder and with the atmosphere.

21. Signal device operating mechanism in cluding a valve, a fluid measuring device adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure, signal initiating means operable to cause the opening of said valve, and means to prevent operation of said initiating means following the closing of said valve for a predetermined period measured by the flow of fluid from said device.

22. Signal device operating mechanism including a valve, a fluid measuring device adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure, signal initiating, means operable to cause the opening of said valve, and means to prevent theclosing of said, valve until it has remained vopen for a predetermined period measured by the flow of fluid in said device. a

Signal device operating mechanism including a. valve, a fluid measuring device adapted for connection with a source offlui'd pressure, signal initiating meansoperable to cause theopening of said'valve, and means to c'ause the closing of said valve after a predetermined period following the opening thereof, and so constructed and arrangedthat the duration of such period is measured by the flow of fluidin said device and is un affected by said initiatingineans between the opening and closing of said'valve. i

Signal device operating mechanism ing '85 eluding a valve, a fluid measuring devicev adapted for connectionwith a source of fluid pressure, signal initiating means operable to cause the opening of said valve, and means to render the control of said valveunaffected by said initiating means from the opening thereof until after theexpiration of apredetermined period following the closing thereof. a

25., Signal device operating mechanism including, incombination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow or" fluid-from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber, and means operable by said piston to govern fluid communication between said cylinder and an exhaust port.

26. Signal device operating mechanism includiiug', in combination with a piston and cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flowof fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing Chitin.- ber, and means to govern communication between said cylinder and timing chamber operable to terminate such communication only in response to the flow of fluid therebetween.

2?. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having pro vision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, artiming chamber, means jointly controlled by said piston and by fluid conditions within said chain her to govern fluid communication between said cylinder, timing chamber and the atmosphere.

28. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cvlinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber, means to govern fluid communication between said cylinder and timing chamber, actuatingmechanism operable to cause said means to establish communication between said cylinder and chamber, and a member operable by the fluid conditions within said chamber to prevent such operation of said means. v n

29. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow of fluidfrom one to the other end thereof, signal initiat ing'm'echanism, a timing chamber, means operable by said initiating mechanism'to' establish fluid communicationbetween said cylinder and timing chamber, and meansoperable by said piston for maintaining' said first means in such operated condition. I

-30. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cyhnderin which it operates havlngprovision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber, means to govern fluid communication between said cylinder, said timing chamber and'the atmosphere, signal lnltiatlngmechanism for operating said connecting-means to connect saidcylinder w1th said chamber, an'dfluid-pressure operable means to govern the duration of the connection of said "cylinder with said timing chamber and to govern the connection of said timing chamber with the atmosphere. I

, 31. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in'which it operates having provision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing chamber, signal initiating mechanism,

means operable by said initiating mechanism for establishing fluid communication between said cylinder and said chamber and governed by said piston as to the duration of such communication, and means gov-1 erned by the fluid conditions of said chamber for rendering said initiating mechanism inoperative for a predetermined period after each termination of fluid communicationbetween said cylinder and said cham-., ber.

32. Signal device operating mechanism including, in combination with a piston and a cylinder in which it operates having provision for the restricted flow of fluid from one to the other end thereof, a timing cham-' ber, signal initiating mechanism, meansoperable by said initiating mechanism for establishing fluid communication between .said cylinder and said chamber and go-verned by said piston as to'the duration of" such communication, and means governed by the fluid conditions of said chamber for rendering said initiating mechan sm r-noperative during, and for a predetermined period after each-termination of, fluid comrespective time intervals each measured by,

changes in fluid conditions in said chamber and in said cylinder, to close communicati'on'between said chamber and the atmosphere, to restore to and hold said initiating mechanism in normal posltlon, to termlnate communication between said cylinder and said chamber, to establish communication between said chamber and the atmosphere,

and to cease holding said initiating mechanism in its normal position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my two subscribing witnesse "HARRY S. SMITH.

name to this specification, in the presence of Witnesses: 3

v JOSEPH SATTERLEE,

NATHAN H. SUREN. 

